South Florida Readies for New Cars at The South Florida International Auto Show

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Nov. 5, 2002; That "new car smell" is in the air.

It's especially alluring at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where hundreds of detailers and assemblers are polishing cars and balancing huge turntables nearly 'round-the-clock this week. They're preparing more than 1,000 spotless new vehicles for throngs of visitors who will attend the 10-day annual South Florida International Auto Show beginning Friday, November 8.

In the midst of one million square feet of exhibit space, representatives of 40 major car makers from around the world are huddling with local new car dealers to make sure that this annual extravaganza delivers on the expectations of auto owners and enthusiasts.

"It's the excitement of being among the first to see the wraps come off," said Jim Arrigo, show chairman. "Because we kick off the season of major auto shows, people who attend our show are eager to see the real thing -- all the newest models."

This year they include a new youth-oriented line from Toyota called Scion, Saturn's new Ion, two new Z's -- the 350Z from Nissan and the Z4 from BMW -- a bold new SUV from Honda called the Element, a more user-friendly Hummer called the H2, the latest Mini Cooper and a convertible version of the New Beetle.

Automotive editors and writers will get the first glance. Before doors open to the general public on Friday, journalists will attend news conferences by Pontiac/GMC, Land Rover, Buick, DaimlerChrysler, Lexus, Volvo and Maserati. Keynote speaker for the annual press luncheon is Thomas Andersson, Volvo's executive vice president for marketing. Denny Clements, Lexus Group vice president and general manager, will help introduce the new GX470 luxury SUV and Luca Cardero di Montezemolo, president and CEO of Ferrari-Maserati Group, will show off a new Maserati coupe and convertible with racing-inspired paddle shifting.

AMI Auto World magazine will use Media Day to present its inaugural "Family Vehicle of the Year" award. The Sierra Club will unveil its "Green Fleet" alternative fuel campaign with spokesman Wyatt Earp, fleet manager of the Marion County Sheriff's Office and distant relative of another peace officer. And the Latin America-based journalistic Federacion Interamericana de Periodistas Automoviles (FIPA) will announce its Interamerican Car of the Year.

Concept cars this year include a new Chevy Bel Air convertible, a highly customizable two-seater from Dodge called the Razor, and a luxury crossover prototype from Buick called the LaCrosse.

Official Show Car for this year's South Florida exhibition is the redesigned 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10, and visitors can register for the largest giveaway ever at the 32-year-old show. Some lucky winner will get a garage- full of Hondas -- an Accord, a Shadow ACE 750 motorcycle and an Aquatrax F12 watercraft.

Such favorite exhibits as Million Dollar Alley (six-figure trophy cars) and Memory Lane (historical classics) are back, along with Motorcycle, a new exhibit of the latest models from top manufacturers.

The South Florida International Auto Show typically attracts 600,000 visitors from Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America. It is produced by the South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, which comprises more than 220 dealers in four counties. For more information, visit www.sfliautoshow.com.